Nigeria's Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets, will be out to confront Young Squirrels of Benin Republic when they clash in Sunday's 2009 African Under 17 Championship qualifier at Port Novo, capital of Benin.
Nigeria stood shoulders above their hosts, easing to 2-0 win in the corresponding fixture in Port Harcourt a fortnight ago, but the result drew contrasting opinions from Nigerian football commentators, local media reported.
While enthusiasts saluted the team's performance at the Liberation Stadium, some rational minds read the game beyond its result, portending that the team lacked the finesse, invention and buoyancy synonymous with the world cadet champions.
Emeka Odikpo, spokesman, Local Organizing Committee of Nigeria 2009, was one of numerous Nigerians who find themselves in either half of the divide.
Reacting to outcome of the reverse fixture and expectations from Sunday's match, the ace broadcaster said he was looking forward to seeing the players dishing out the stuff that helped their predecessors to triumph at the African Under-17 Championship in Togo as well as last year's FIFA U-17 Championship in South Korea.
"The team must beef up efforts for better performance during the World Cup event because they are playing host to other countries of the World," he said.
His views were buttressed by Nduka Ugbade, former Nigeria international, who led the team to its first triumph on the global podium at China in 1985.
"There is no doubt that Nigeria have always beaten Benin Republic in every level of international football, but we must work hard to avoid losing to them today. We would be up to a rude shock, believing that we can always beat them because they are also playing to win," he said.
Source: Xinhua
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